Value (7.0)
The Nikon Coolpix 7900 can definitely compete in the high-megapixel compact market with a retail price of $399.95. The 7900 was first announced with a higher price tag of $449, but as competitors’ prices are falling so are Nikon’s. If users really will print large pictures, then the 7900 is a value. It is one of the cheapest 7 megapixel digital cameras on the market. However, you may want to consider a cheaper model with fewer megapixels if you’ll never print larger than 8 x 10 inches.
Comparisons
Nikon Coolpix 5900 – The baby sibling of the 7900 was announced at the same time, but was built with inferior features at a lower price. The Nikon 5900 has the same 1/1.8-inch CCD but only packs 5.1 effective megapixels onto it. The camera bodies could be twins: same size and weight. Both have 3x optical zoom lenses. There are only minor differences to the 5900’s specs. The 5900’s lowest ISO setting is 64, while the 7900 starts at 50. The EN-EL5 battery lasts 270 shots in the Coolpix 5900 compared to the 7900’s 220. The Nikon Coolpix 5900 has a slightly faster 2 fps burst mode, but does not have the electronic vibration reduction in movie mode. For a retail price of $299, the Nikon Coolpix 5900 offers the same automatic modes and many of the same features and should be considered by budget consumers who won’t be printing 16 x 20-inch pictures.
Canon PowerShot SD500 – One of the more attractive camera models on the market, the Canon SD500 offers the same 7.1 effective megapixels in a sleeker package. The SD500’s body is only a little longer than the 7900’s, but is quite a bit skinnier. This sleek Digital ELPH has an automatic mode and nine scene modes, but does not offer a manual mode. The SD500 is constructed of plastic like the 7900, but is definitely more durable. The SD500 has a 3x optical zoom lens and 2-inch LCD screen like the Nikon 7900. This Canon has similar movie size options, but lets users choose between 30 and 15 fps frame rates for all sizes. It also adds a unique Fast Frame Rate movie mode that records 320 x 240 pixels at 60 fps. The Canon PowerShot SD500 also has a unique palette of color modes not found on the 7900. The Nikon does have a better auto focus system, as the Canon’s 9-point system doesn’t work very well. The Canon PowerShot SD500 retails for $499.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 – The W7 comes in a slightly larger 1.5 x 3.6 x 2.4-inch body, but is constructed of durable metal instead of the 7900’s hard plastic. Its metal certainly weighs more at 8.9 ounces fully loaded, but it feels substantial and not like a toy. With 7.2 effective megapixels, the Sony W7 has plenty of resolution for big prints as well. Its images have relatively low noise, but getting the images can be difficult because of the W7’s flawed auto focus system. The W7 has an automatic mode and seven scene modes, but also adds a manual mode to the offerings. That is a nice touch, but Sony skimps on the white balance menu: no manual white balance is available. The burst mode on the W7 is slow at 0.9 fps and its movie mode’s frame rate can only reach 30 fps if users own the Sony Memory Stick PRO (sold separately). The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 is part of the company’s “Wide LCD” series as it has a 2.5-inch LCD screen. However, it still has the same 115,000 pixels of resolution that the Nikon 7900’s smaller screen has. The Sony W7 has a 3x optical zoom lens, 32 MB of internal memory, and retails for $449.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – With automatic modes ranging from the basic to the elaborate, the Nikon 7900 is made for the point-and-shooter. It even has framing assists in some of the scene modes and a Help button to explain menu options and modes.
Budget Consumers – For the amount of megapixels, the Nikon 7900 can compete with other similar models. However, if you’re a budget consumer that won’t be printing posters you may consider a compact model with similar features and a lower price.
Manual Control Freaks – The white balance can be manually set and the ISO and exposure compensation can be manually selected, but freaks will miss adjusting shutter speed and aperture on the 7900.
Gadget Freaks – Gadget freaks may get a kick out of the face-priority auto focus mode for a few minutes, but will be otherwise bored with the Nikon Coolpix 7900.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists – Pros and serious hobbyists just don’t flock to plastic digital cameras. Magnesium alloy in a camera body is one element that is more likely to attract this bunch.
